Persecution of Baha`i's by the Egyptian Government (ritual, tradition)

[Popeyesays]

About six months ago, the Egyptian Higher courts upheld that Baha`i citizens of Egypt could be denied government ID cards because Baha`i's would not register themselves as Jews, Christians or Muslims.

This means Baha`i's are denied the right to employment, voting, requesting passports, practicing professions, going to institutes of higher learning, even of marriage and gaining birth certificates for their children.

This is in spite of the Egyptian government agreeing to the UN's Rights of Man.

They join the government of Iran in practicing human rights violations on religious grounds.

Comment?

Regards,
Scott

[Dream Angel]

Hang on I am confused here..... that would suggest egypt only allow people with "mainstraim" religions to "live" ie marriage, work, vote etc... so what do they do with people who arent religious so def dont define themselves as christian etc. Or is Egypt just prejudice against Baha'i? sorry I dont know much about Egypt?

[Popeyesays]

The National Identity card has a space for religious affiliation. If the individual will not state a religious affiliation, then the government will not issue the card and the individual will not have a "state ID". With no state ID he cannot have a job--In the U.S. one must present a birth certificate and a social security card to get a State ID or driver's license. If you don't have them you have to leave and go get them. There is however, no requirement to state religion.

Regards,
Scott

[Dream Angel]

well thats just silly... what would I put?

I prob know the answer to this, but as your faith states that all religions are the same (in a way) and you accept all religions couldnt you just put christianity down? I know its prob not really appropriate but its only a piece of paper in the end.

[Popeyesays]

A baha`i obeys the law up to the point where he would have to deny his faith. That is not allowed.

"1462. Bahá'ís Obey the Law, Federal or State
"Bahá'ís obey the law, Federal or state unless submission to these laws amounts to a denial of their Faith. We live the Bahá'í life, fully and continuously, unless prevented by the authorities. This implies, if it does not categorically state, that a Bahá'í is not required to make a judgement as to the precedence of Federal or state law -- this is for the courts to decide."
(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; March 30, 1965: The National Bahá'í review, No. 32, August, 1970,
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 449)

"During this period of transition from practices current in the present social orders of tribal society to the standards advocated and upheld in the Bahá'í community, it is important for Bahá'ís to exercise patience, and endeavour to show respect to the tribal laws that apply in each case, provided they do not contradict basic Bahá'í principles and regulations involving such acts as denial of one's faith or contracting polygamous marriages."
(The Universal House of Justice, 1998 Dec 16, Traditional practices in Africa)

"Regarding taking oaths, there is nothing in the Teachings on this subject. As a Bahá'í is enjoined by Bahá'u'lláh to be truthful, he would express his truthfulness, no matter what the formality of the law in any local place required of him. There can be no objection to Bahá'ís conforming to the requirements of the law court whatsoever they may be in such matters, as in no case would they constitute in any way a denial of their own beliefs as Bahá'ís."
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 450)

Registering as Christian or Muslim or anything but Baha`i would a denial of faith which is not allowed. In this particular case, neither Christians, nor Jews nor Muslims are required to effectively LIE, whil Baha`i's are. The Muslim authorities know this and use it as a hammer to browbeat Baha`i's.
Regards,

[UnityNow101]

That is very sad...I have never understood why a government would deny any religion to be fully expressed, but the Bahai religion? Bahai's are a group of people that truly want to change the way things are with love amongst all....They are really the best people that you could want within your country. Sad that Egypt hasn't seen this and accepted them as a mainline religion. Shame on them.